Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1887-01-29
THE BELT-..COUNTRY.
Something Regarding the Country and
it's Mines, Greeks, Rivers and
Magnificent Scrnery.


For the Tribune.
This section of country, easy of access,
of magnificent capabilities, and as yet
thinly settled, will in the near future be
one of those localities, whose future will
be indissolubly bound up with the destinies
of Great Falls.
The writer of this article has traversed
this region iu every direction for the past
eleven years, and the more explorations [
make, the more am impressed with the
fertility of the soil, and its wealth of mines
and forests. The watershed is drained by
multitude of rivulets and creeks, which
form tributaries of the Judith, Arrow and
Belt rivers on the north and east.
The most direct route to reach this sec
ton of the country from the town of Great
Falls is by way of Belt (Castner's) dis
tance from here of 90 miles. Arrived at
this creek, we have left tho rolling prai-
res behind us, and have reached the foot
hills Of the Highwood range. Few views
of the same beauty can be found, than Belt
creek furnishes in the summer time when
the Cottonwood trees are in full foliage,
and Belt creek rushing with its mad i'm
petuosity to join the turbid Missouri. For
about "a miles of its length this valley is
now thickly settled with enterprising pio-
neers and their families. When the wri-
ter was here in 1878, the vicinity was fa-
nous for Black bear, deer, lynx, wild d,scats,
ETC., now it is famous for its coal, grain,
sheep, vegetables, etc. About two miles
from this point is one of the chief land
marks of the whole country-Belt butte.
| This Butte is only accessible on the north
east side, the remaining sides being pre-
| cipitous by reason of the thick band or belt
of sandstone, which girdles the butte, and
from which it takes its name. The geolo-
gical formation Of this butte is very inter
esting, the whole of it except about so
| feet on top being the fresh water coal for
nations of the Dakota groups. Early Gre
taceous, the balance being the Maine for
nation of the Benton groups, showing the
petrifed sea shells yet on the summit. A
few years ago warehouse of the Indians,
was in existence on the highest point, from
which they used to signal by night to 9th
er parties. Near the base of this butte
winds the Billings stage road, which leay-
ing Belt creek, passes this way on its route
to Cora creek. This Cora creek is mere
rivulet, but is well known for being a
| junction for stage lines at the station at
this point. The proprietor Mr.. Cressop
being known throughout the country for
his genial hospitality. On the bluffs on
the east side of Cora creek few years age
large aerolite was seen to fall about two
miles from the station. Dilsgent search
has been made at various times, but itE
fragments have not yet been discovered
Leaving Cora creek, our writer passes over
the bench lands above Otter creek fol
} about eight miles (the massive peaks OF
the Highwood being apparently much
closer than they really are) when we reach
. what is termed the Rocky Ridge, being ar
exact counterpart of "the rocky road te
Dublin we read about. This rocky ridge
appears to be Basaltic dyke carryin:
considerable iron trending n. W. to S. E
! and apparently forming connection be
: tween the Highwood and Belt mountains
i In Williams creek below the ridge, th'
D walls of the dyke are very plain, and al
l most perpendicular. The road after cross
: ing Williams creek ascends high bencl
/, land, which rises between Williams ant
. Otter creek, and is followed for about fou
i miles when it turns abruptly to the north
east, forming divide between William
and Arrow creeks. Leaving the platea1
we reach low sag, which has a low hill
!. on the left, and it is here undoubtedly tha
i the railroad for Judith Basin will max
L its entry, for as fine site cannot be foun
. elsewhere, for no tunelling will be requil
> ed in passing from Otter to Arrow creef
From Rocky Ridge to this point, th
3 sparseIy settled condition of the country
u forcibly impressed upon an observer, ye
y here are homes for hundreds of settler
many gently sloping hills, with murmul
, ing rills in the hollows-the soil magnif
cent, and wood within 6 and miles; VIII
- more is needed to an enterprising settler
Descending short hill from the sa
At mentioned before, the head of the we
fork of Arrow creek is reached; the Ion
u line of bluffs, tier behind tier, so cha
acteristic of this creek stretching mort
II east to the bad lands. Passing Hay Bro